Planned Parenthood Accused of Unfair Treatment of Pregnant Employees

Some pregnant employees of Planned Parenthood are saying the organization discriminates against expecting moms.

According to a report from the New York Times, managers have been accused of “sidelining, ousting or otherwise handicapping pregnant employees.”

Ta’Lisa Hairston told the New York Times that when she told the human resources department at the Planned Parenthood clinic where she worked that she was pregnant and her doctor advised taking frequent breaks, her managers would not let her take breaks.

“I had to hold back tears talking to pregnant women, telling them to take care of their pregnancies when I couldn’t take care of mine,” Hairston said. “It made me jealous.”

According to the report, most Planned Parenthood clinics do not provide paid maternity leave for full-time employees. Many, however, allow women to take partially paid disability leave.

Planned Parenthood has some 12,000 employees nationwide.

Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the organization is investigating the discrimination claims. She also said they “must do better than we are now” because of an “obligation to do better, for our staff, for their families, and for our patients.”

Natera, a company that sells genetic tests for pregnant women, and Avon have also been accused of discrimination against pregnant employees.

Two former Natera employees said they were demoted while they were on maternity leave, but a spokeswoman for the company said their employment was “not influenced inappropriately by” pregnancy or maternity leave.

Avon has also denied the discrimination claims.

Photo courtesy: Andrew Seaman/Unsplash